Best Commercial Convection Oven • Top 5 Electric Countertop Ovens

When you see a commercial convection oven, your first question is how it’s any different than a regular one. There is a very simple answer. Your regular oven cooks by surrounding the food with hot air while convection ovens circulate that air. Why does this matter, you ask?

A normal oven is prone to developing hot spots which leads to uneven heating. You can fix this by rotating food, but sometimes there are too many dishes at once to remember to do this. It also means that you must cook the food longer and at a higher temperature.

On the other hand, a commercial convection oven can roast veggies and meats 30 percent faster at a lower temperature. However, reducing your carbon footprint isn’t the only benefit you’ll notice!

It is also a healthy alternative to frying. Since the air in a convection oven is drier, it also browns and caramelizes food quicker. This means that your meats and vegetables are brown on the outside but still retain moisture on the inside. It also means that cookies, bread, and pastries will be crisper and lighter.

Your wallet, health, and taste buds will be thanking you for using a convection oven!

This all sounds fantastic, but it can be intimidating to switch to a new type of oven. As with anything new, there will be an adjustment period. However, you can shorten this period by getting the best features for your needs. So what exactly should you look for in a commercial convection oven?

If you do not like reading, you can just watch this short video guide to get you started on the topic.

What Can a Convection Oven Offer You?

When you’re looking for the best commercial convection oven, there are a lot of similarities. However, the fine distinctions between each one really make a difference. For example, many ovens are made with stainless steel, but it’s the simple details that make up its character. Really consider what details make it or break it for you while reading the list below.

Fuel

The type of fuel you use is the first thing to think about. Do you have natural gas hookups or propane tanks in your kitchen or only electric outlets? A commercial countertop oven can utilize any combination of these.

When shopping, keep in mind where you’ll use the oven and what kind of power is in those areas.

Gas

Gas heat produces a unique flavor that many people prefer. It can be tricky to the untrained hand, but many restaurants and factories all over use it every day!

However, be aware: even with gas, you’ll still need electricity to power the fan. The convection oven gets its name from the fan that blows around hot air and it needs an electric motor to function. Some say that gas heating is more uneven than electric, but it’s often hard to notice.

Electric

An electric convection oven will most often use 110V that is useful for any normal, American outlet. The glowing elements on top and bottom cook, broil, and bake while the fan in the back blows air around. Temperature in these ovens is more consistent because it retains the heat. This means you’ll get more even heating and save more power!

Dual

“Dual Fuel” has a ring to it, doesn’t it? These ovens have electric walls to bake and broil while a gas top takes care of the cooking. Finding an oven with gas walls is rare, but not impossible. There are smaller, older model ovens for which replacement chambers are still made.

Size

How much room do you have? No matter how big or small your space is, there’s an oven to fit it! There are two main builds available in a wide array of volumes.

Countertop

Countertop ovens are perfect for apartments, small kitchens, and travelers.

The Waring WCO500X – An example of a Countertop Convection Oven

Better quality ones are durable enough to pack anywhere you would want to use it. Larger ones usually measure between 18 – 22 inches wide and 14 – 18 inches deep. You can find some bigger or smaller than this. Either way, it’s all about what you need and how much you usually cook.

Floor Model (single/double)

Floor models are exactly what they sound like. They are just like their countertop counterparts but have more space for more food. This is usually what you see in restaurants, bakeries, and cafes, but who’s to say you can’t have one at home?

The Vulcan VC3E – An example of a Freestanding Convection Oven

If you have a large family or cook often for charity events, you could consider a floor model. They come in two varieties: single and double. The single consists of one cooking chamber while the double is made up of two stacked vertically.

Types

There is a slight, but important difference between the two types of ovens you can buy. Fan-assisted convection ovens are more common, but a purist might prefer a “true” convection oven. So what’s the difference?

Fan-assisted

Fan convection ovens have a baking element in the bottom and broiling element on the top. An electric fan on the back wall circulates this heat to cook quickly and more evenly than your regular oven.

True (European)

A true commercial convection oven has a third element in the back. This is the only difference. The fan is still there to circulate heat, but the third element ensures even more uniform temperature control.

Controls

The controls on a commercial convection oven normally operate temperature and time. There are some more advanced that have separate temperatures and timers for different racks. Regardless, the controls will either be manual (solid state) or automatic (computer).

Deciding which one is best for you depends on the level of chaos in your kitchen (or just how forgetful you are!).

Solid State (Manual)

These manual controls consist of knob adjustments for the temperature. Some, but not all, may also have controls for a timer as well. Although these don’t offer as many options as the automatic versions, they are more reliable because there is less to mess up.

Computer (Automatic)

Automatic controls give you the ability to pre-program temperature and time. Sometimes you can preset different cooking times for different racks or have the whole thing shut off when it’s done! Although these offer more options, you would be better off investing more money for better electric components. Cheaper ones are more liable to fry out quick.

Let’s Get Cooking!

Top 5 Best Commercial Countertop Convection Ovens

Now that you know what you need, let’s look at our options! The following list compiles all of the best ovens for various needs. If you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for here, you’re definitely in the right starting place for an answer!

Click the picture to read our full and in-depth review of the Wisco 620

Are you in a group or organization that sets up booths at festivals, carnivals, and other events? Do you travel often or own an RV? Maybe there isn’t much space in your kitchen for new appliances? You need this countertop convection oven.

Anywhere you have electricity, you have the ability to cook, roast, bake, or broil anything you want!

The temperature can be set between 100 and 450 degrees Fahrenheit with a simple turn of the knob. Unlike other ovens, this one lacks a lot of electronic components that are prone to frying out within months. Also, its double-wall design provides extra insulation and protection so the exterior walls don’t burn or dent.

While it’s cooking your food, it stays quiet. If you know what it’s like to work around loud exhaust fans all day, you know how annoying that can get! With this machine, it’s no problem.

Even better, once you’re done with it, cleaning is a breeze. Every piece can easily come out or off of the oven for a thorough cleaning – even the door! Many countertop convection ovens are made with stainless steel, including this one, so grease and grime wipe off effortlessly.

Does this all sound too good to be true? Surely there’s a catch, right? This is actually such a fantastic device, it’s difficult to find negative customer reviews. If you want a space-saving, energy efficient oven that can cook a perfect meal anywhere, this is your best choice!

Best Features:

Do you want restaurant quality food right from your own kitchen? This is your dream oven!

Click the picture to read our full and in-depth review of the economic Waring WCO500X.

You really shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Although it doesn’t look like much with its inconspicuous appeal, this oven packs some power that most can’t! Where most come with three baking trays, this one is large enough to accommodate four. Broil, roast, or bake anything you can dream of in larger volumes that what the competition can do.

Cooking is a snap with this oven and cleaning it is even easier. It’s made of stainless steel and has removable parts to really get a good, deep cleaning.

You’ll love this countertop convection oven so much, you might even consider opening a bakery! Why not? Since it can plug into any normal outlet, you can make breads, pizzas, and roasts anywhere you want!

Best Features:

Click the picture to read our full and in-depth review of the high-end Vollrath 40703.

With this oven, you get all of the top features of the best quality, but golly will you pay for it! If you’re a serious cook that is ready for an upgrade, this is what you buy to treat yourself.

It has all of the pre-programmable timers, very quiet fan, interior light, and even knob guards to prevent accidents! The most amazing part is that it’s capable of reaching temperatures above the range of average ovens. While most don’t go above 500 degrees Fahrenheit, this one nearly reaches 600!

Since it is so well made and built to last, it is really difficult to find complaints about this oven. If you’re willing to spend the money, you will definitely reap all of the benefits that the best commercial convection oven can offer!

Click the picture to read our full and in-depth review of the professional Cadco OV-003.

Does your kitchen need an upgrade? This compact, electric convection oven looks stylish on your counter and can handle almost anything you throw in it! It’s the cure to your boredom in the kitchen.

At first, the price might seem a little steep, but it’s well worth the investment. Once you see what it’s capable of, you’ll wish you’d bought it sooner.

Many restaurant and café owners praise this oven’s abilities. They are able to keep their business running smoothly because this machine saves tons of time and energy. Since it cooks quicker at lower temperatures, it saves a lot on monthly bills too. You can have this same oven that professionals trust every day in your very own kitchen!

However, if you have sleeping babies or anxiety issues, you might want to avoid this oven. The timer alarm beeps several times very loudly and there is absolutely no way to turn it off. To quote many customers, the alarm will “drive you crazy.” Do you need a broil setting? Keep on scrolling. This oven does not have that option either. Otherwise, the machine itself is well-built, reliable, and visually appealing.

Click the picture to read our full and in-depth review of the professional Cadco OV-013.

This oven is an upgrade from the Cadco OV-003 Compact Quarter Size Convection Oven above. If you liked everything about it except the size, this one might do the trick. The main difference is that it’s larger with a roomier interior. Of course, this comes with a slightly larger price tag as well.

Otherwise, it has the same temperature range of 175 – 500 degrees Fahrenheit and heavy-duty stainless steel shell. The special cage in the back houses a powerful fan that guarantees even cooking. Many restaurant, café, and bakery owners trust the success of their business to this Cadco product every day.

Unfortunately, it has the same noisy timer alarm. If you’re able to tune out a little bit of noise, there really isn’t any other downside. It’s a real powerhouse appliance!

Pros:

Simple controls

120V plugs into any regular outlet

High-power fan ensures even cooking

Cons:

Pans bought separately

Noisy fan compared to smaller models

Loud, incessant timer that will not turn off

Best Features:

Meets health and safety standards (NSF, CSA, MET, UL)

Special cage to increase air flow

Made with heavy-duty stainless steel

What will you do now?

If you cook and bake at home without a commercial convection oven, you’re really missing out! Do you usually rely on fast food every day for your dietary needs? Not only is it unhealthy, but that food gets really boring, really quick.

Once you find the best commercial convection oven for you, you can truly liberate your taste buds! Enhance your normal dishes or explore new culinary avenues. There’s nothing they can’t handle.

At the very least, you should try one to catch a break on those pesky bills that show up every month!